The Mississippi House redistricting map has been released.
House Chairman Bill Denny (R) released the maps this morning and the House membership is reviewing. Word is that the Senate will also release their map today.
House Democrats and their liberal special interests groups are sure to have a field day with this Republican drawn redistricting plan, no matter how fair it is, given the year long battle we’ve seen. Last year’s McCoy/Reynolds Democratic incumbent protection plan was shelved after the three judge panel ruled in favor Secretary of State Hosemann’s argument, thus allowing this new Republican led House to try its hand at drawing legislative district lines.
To date, we know that Democrats will look to challenge this effort over the 15 day statute and minority voting strength, the latter of which has been questioned even before seeing the map.
So far we know that five pairs of House members will face each other in the next election if this map stands:
* Bill Denny (R) & Cecil Brown (D)
* Kevin Horan (D) & Linda Whittington (D)
* Jason White (D) & Bennett Malone (D)
* Robert Huddleston (D) & Tommy Taylor (R)
* Bo Eaton (D) & Johnny Stringer (D)
After a quick preliminary review (so don’t hold fast to this until I get more time to review it fully), it looks as though there is no dilution of majority-minority districts, meaning there will be a similar number if not more majority-minority districts under this plan. This should end the debate mentioned above but don’t count on it.
Also, the map seems to adhere to more natural boundaries and county lines, creating more easily understood and compact districts. I’m also told that the plan reduces split precincts, but by how much, I’m not certain at this point.
Due to the obvious nature of this redistricting beast and its history, some Democratic members are sure to cry foul in that they have not seen their district lines. But I’m told that the vast majority of the membership did have input on this plan and their districts.
Check back to Yall Politics’ headlines and Twitter for more on this as it develops.
***** UPDATE…
* Majority-minority districts increased by 3 from 39 to 42, all with strong minority voting strength
* 5 new districts are outlined: 2 in DeSoto County and 1 in each of Oktibbeha County, Madison and Hattiesburg
* Committee has passed the plan
Here’s a link to the more detailed overall map . . .
Here’s the report . . .
Here’s a link to the page where you can check out your own House district
